rufusrooster Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 Had our girls 8 weeks now and ive just bought my 2nd bag, seen as they ate the pellets i bought originally i went for the same, Farmgate Layers Pellets, think they was £6.99 for a 20kg bag. They had 2 other types as well, one was organic and nearly double the price. what type do you buy and for what (if any) particular reason ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 (edited) I use the Allen & Page small holders range layers pellets as they were recommended to me, they are very easy to obtain and not bad on price, I think the last bag I bought was £7.99 ish edited to add: I tried fancy feed with the girls but they were highly unimpressed with my money saving idea. Edited September 2, 2009 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quickcluck Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 I've just changed from Allen & page to Fancy feeds!!! Cheaper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xScrunchee Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 I get organic layers pellets because I think the eggs taste better They do cost a lot more though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 I use Dodson & Horrell - just because that's what my local place stocks . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rufusrooster Posted September 2, 2009 Author Share Posted September 2, 2009 I get organic layers pellets because I think the eggs taste better They do cost a lot more though i may try the organic next time, how long do you think they would have to be on them for it to effect the taste and/or colour of the egg ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 I use Allen and Page Ex Batts Layers Pellets, as I wanted my ex batts to have them and easier to give all my girls the same ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beulah59 Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 I paid less than £6 for a bag of Farmgate mash ... and am currently mixing it with the A&P ex-bats mash (was concerned it would be too rich on it's own). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xScrunchee Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 I would suggest that if you do change pellets make sure that you get a sack of the new pellets before the old ones run out completely and then start mixing the old pellets in with the new so that they change over slowly otherwise they may refuse to eat them for a while. That could just be my fussy little madams though Once they are on the new pellets exclusively-I'd imagine within a week you might be able to see/taste the difference. Plus my Mum is mildly allergic to shop bought eggs but fine when my hens are eating organic pellets. When I changed them to non organic-she couldn't eat their eggs again. That's the main reason I went back to organic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gelbel Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 Allen & Page Natural Free Range Layers Pellets - what I think are best from my local supplier without paying silly money for organic feed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken Licken Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 smallholders range for me - they have a yellow and white bag and are mid - price range and easy to get. I also have layers mash - Dodson and Horrell at the moment as that was what was in stock. I add Bokashi to both to reduce the poo quantity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 yep I forgot to add that, I add brokashi and garlic powder to mine as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jomaxsmith Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 In use Marriages mash as that's what my poultry centre stocks. I tried a cheaper brand from elsewhere but it wasn't very popular here! A word of warning - my local poultry centre (Thornes) advise against giving young hens organic feed because they believe it can increase the risk of prolapse. I _think_ they suggest that you don't feed it before laying is well established, around the 30 week old mark. Jo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abwsco Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 I have used Dodson & Horrell, tried Golden Yolk- which they thought was yuck, tried another cheapy one, then Allen and Paige then lastly Fancy Feeds which had impressed me the most. However, I am now mixing up my own feed using poultry wheat, rolled barley and cut maize. I won't be swapping back to layers plus my chicks are on this now so I don't need to faff with growers either Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carrie Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 Countrywide's own layers pellets because we have a store less than half a mile away and the chickens turn their noses up at the other makes I have tried. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 Garvo all the way for me now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffyknickers Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 i use marriages layers pellets as its the one that is nearest me and the girls eat it! I did start with organic but got to costly. x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wombatally Posted September 3, 2009 Share Posted September 3, 2009 Are mine the only really greedy little things on here - they eat anything we put out for them. That may be as there are so many that they're worried about being left out I use the golden yolk pellets and mash (they get the mash on a weekend when I have the time to make it and pellets in a huge hopper through the week when I'm away with work and OH looks after them. Doing it this way makes it cheaper as the mash is much cheaper than pellets and lasts longer. I mix wheat from our farm into both which makes it go even further - we go through a bag a week so need to! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted September 3, 2009 Share Posted September 3, 2009 I feed mine wild bird mix I add a porridge treat with their eggshells crushed in and maybe a little cat food or tuna in the evening when I call them to bed, and they get extra calcium powder and poultry spice. They won't eat pellets or mash. They were on mash for ages .... which they ate very reluctantly.... but I've been throwing most of it away. They seem OK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penguin Posted September 3, 2009 Share Posted September 3, 2009 We tend to use the Countrywide own brand - it's reasonably priced. The girls seem quite happy with it at the moment and I supplement it with some extra grit in the run and the usual treats.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkl Posted September 3, 2009 Share Posted September 3, 2009 Mine won't touch anything other than the organic stuff - must've got the taste after demolishing my organic cabbages/kale/brussel sprouts. Tried them on cheaper stuff which they point blank refused. Might try sneaking the cheapy stuff in with the posh stuff. cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenanne Posted September 4, 2009 Share Posted September 4, 2009 Organic for ours. But generally I think if you feed them any decent qaulity pellets which are well within use by and have been stored properly then it'd be fine. Worth checking the contents - i.e. % ash or whatever - as this is empty calories for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
